Helminths of hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Abstract

Parasitological examination of a stranded hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) from Pacific coast of Costa Rica revealed the presence of a rich digenean fauna including Carettacola stunkardi (Spi- rorchiidae), Enodiotrema reductum (Plagiorchiidae), Cricocephalus albus, Adenogaster serialis, Epi- bathra crassa, Pleurogonius lobatus, P. trigonocephalus, P. linearis, and Pyelosomum posterorchis (Pronocephalidae). All helminths except C. albus and P. lobatus represent new geographical records for Costa Rica. Carettacola stunkardi is reported for first time in an Eastern Pacific hawksbill turtle and its pathological changes are here described. Histologically, nodular lesions on the serosal sur- face of intestine revealed a mixed infiltrate of heterophils, lymphocytes, and histiocytes within necrotic debris. Granulomas with spirorchiid eggs were observedEl examen parasitológico de una tortuga carey (Eretmochelys imbricata) varada en la costa del Pacífico de Costa Rica reveló la presencia de una rica fauna digénica que incluye Carettacola stunkardi (Spi- rorchiidae), Enodiotrema reductum (Plagiorchiidae), Cricocephalus albus, Adenogaster serialis, Epi- bathra crassa, Pleurogonius lobatus, P. trigonocephalus, P. linearis y Pyelosomum posterorchis (Pronocephalidae). Todos los helmintos, excepto C. albus y P. lobatus, representan nuevos registros geográficos para Costa Rica. Carettacola stunkardi se reporta por primera vez en una tortuga carey del Pacífico Oriental y se describen aquí sus cambios patológicos. Histológicamente, las lesiones nodulares en la cara serosa de la serosa del intestino revelaron un infiltrado mixto de heterófilos, linfocitos e histiocitos dentro de restos necróticos. Se observaron granulomas con huevos de espirilo